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WHALE SHARK ADVENTURES

Whale Shark, Dolphin & Marine Wildlife Tours with Aerial Spotter Support in Diani Beach, Kenya

Join Whale Shark Adventures for responsible ocean encounters off Diani Beach, Kenya — from whale shark expeditions and humpback whale watching to dolphin and turtle snorkeling trips. What sets us apart is our use of two dedicated microlight spotter aircraft, allowing us to search a far greater ocean area than boat-only operators and improve our chances of locating whale sharks, dolphins, manta rays, turtles and other marine wildlife. Combined with local knowledge, marine conservation experience, experienced boat crews and a wide sighting network, our aerial support helps give guests the best possible chance of unforgettable marine wildlife encounters.

 

Whale shark swimming near snorkelers in Diani Beach, Kenya

See What It’s Like To Swim With Whale Sharks in Diani

 

Watch real footage from our whale shark encounters and marine wildlife trips off Diani Beach, Kenya. These experiences depend on sea conditions and wildlife behaviour, but this is the kind of unforgettable ocean encounter our team works hard to make possible.

 

Award-Winning Marine Wildlife Experiences

Whale Shark Adventures has been recognised as an Africa Prestige Awards 2025/26 Winner, reflecting our commitment to responsible marine wildlife tourism, guest experience and conservation-led ocean encounters in Diani Beach, Kenya 

 

Africa Prestige Awards 2025/26 Winner badge for Whale Shark Adventures

Let’s Explore the Ocean Together

About Us

Whale Shark Adventures is a specialist marine wildlife tour operator based in Diani Beach, Kenya, offering responsible whale shark expeditions, dolphin and turtle snorkeling, humpback whale watching, diving, and ocean safari experiences along the Kenyan coast.

Founded by Volker Bassen, also founder of the East African Whale Shark Trust, our work combines tourism, conservation, research, and deep local marine knowledge. What sets us apart is our use of two dedicated microlight spotter aircraft, allowing us to search a much larger area than boat-only operators and improve our chances of locating whale sharks, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, humpback whales and other marine wildlife.

With experienced boat crews, aerial support, and a wide local sighting network, we give guests one of the best possible chances of unforgettable marine wildlife encounters off Diani Beach — always with respect for the animals and the ocean.

Join our whale shark research expeditions in Diani, Kenya, a unique marine wildlife experience that has become an annual tradition since 2000. Our team uses dedicated spotter aircraft to search large areas of ocean for whale sharks, giving us a major advantage compared with boat-only operators. Once a whale shark is located, our research boat moves carefully into position and guests may have the unforgettable opportunity to snorkel alongside these gentle giants.

 

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Humpback whale breaching off Diani Beach Kenya during seasonal whale watching tour

From August to September, migrating humpback whales may sometimes be seen off Diani Beach, Kenya, as they travel along the East African coast. This 2.5-hour marine wildlife trip combines seasonal humpback whale watching with our popular dolphin and turtle snorkeling experience. When sea conditions are suitable, guests may also snorkel with dolphins, making this a varied and memorable Diani Beach ocean safari for families and nature lovers.

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Turtle Swimming in the ocean

Join one of our most popular trips; snorkelling with turtles!
Located outside the reef, our “secret” turtle garden is a popular turtle relaxing hotspot. We can sometimes loose count of how many we see!
A turtle guarantee.

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Scuba diver underwater in the ocean

We focus on experienced divers. If you have a license from PADI, SSI or any other recognized scuba diving teaching facility and want to experience something new, such as Deep Blue FAD (Fish Attraction Devise) scuba diving, or scuba diving with whale sharks, night dives, wreck dives, deep dives, then look no further.

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Our Founder & EAWST

Whale sharks are the largest fish species in the world and are known to inhabit the waters of the Indian Ocean, including along the eastern coast of Africa. They are gentle giants and are considered vulnerable due to threats such as plastic pollution, habitat degradation, fishing activities, and boat strikes. This and an overall passion for marine life is what inspired Volker Bassen, our director, to establish the East African Whale Shark Trust(EAWST) in an effort to research these magnificent creatures, raise awareness, and implement measures to protect their habitats, and ensure their long-term survival.

Our volunteers actively participate in scuba diving training, whale shark research, coral growing/transplant, turtle/dolphin identification as well as many land-based community projects.

EAWST
Volker bassen on a spotter airplane before take off in diani beach

$132,350

Has been raised by our trust since its inception towards whale shark conservation, research and local community projects.

$3,490

Has been raised since the beginning of the year 2023 to date.

Dive into unforgettable adventures with our thrilling whale shark expeditions, mesmerizing humpback whale sightings, and playful dolphin encounters. Hop aboard our boat cruises for a breathtaking journey along the famous Diani Beach coast. Explore the depths with our PADI dive courses and unlock a whole new world beneath the waves.

Small fishes swimming deep in the Indian ocean around some corals

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The whale shark is the largest known fish species, reaching up to 40 feet long. It has a wide, flattened head, distinctive yellow spots and stripes, and feeds on plankton and small fish. These gentle giants are docile and can be found in warm oceanic waters around the world.

Despite their enormous size, whale sharks are gentle creatures and do not pose a threat to humans. They are docile filter feeders, mainly consuming plankton and small fish. However, it is very important to follow specific guidelines when interacting with them.

When interacting with whale sharks, it is essential to follow guidelines to ensure the well-being of these magnificent creatures and promote responsible wildlife encounters. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind:

1. Maintain a safe distance from the whale sharks (roughly 4 meters from the tail and 3 meters from the head and body) to avoid disturbing or stressing them. Be sure to respect their space and allow them to swim freely.

2. Do not attempt to touch or ride the whale sharks. This can disrupt their natural behavior and cause harm to both the animals and yourself.

3. Avoid flash photography as it can startle and disorient the whale sharks. Use natural lighting or adjust your camera settings accordingly.

4. Do not feed the whale sharks as this can disrupt their natural feeding patterns and dependency on their natural food sources. Let them feed naturally on plankton and small fish.

5. Use eco-friendly practices by choosing operators and tour providers (such as Whale Shark Adventures and Dive Center, Diani Beach) that prioritize conservation and follow sustainable practices.

6. Limit interaction time to 30 minutes for a single shark and total interaction time to 1 hour.

7. Familiarize yourself with any specific rules or regulations implemented by local authorities or marine protected areas. Adhere to these guidelines to ensure responsible and sustainable interactions.

If these rules are broken, the whale shark is likely to become annoyed and engage in defensive behavior which includes eye rolling, banking, diving and tail-slapping. A whale shark that does not exhibit any of these behaviors and continues to feed while there are divers in the water, is the best sign that it is not bothered. It is also an amazing photo opportunity!

The humpback whale is a large baleen whale known for its distinctive features and captivating behaviors. With a length of around 50 feet and weighing up to 40 tons, it has long pectoral fins, a knobby head, and a pronounced hump on its back. Humpback whales are renowned for their acrobatic displays, beautiful songs, and migration between feeding and breeding grounds worldwide. They are filter feeders, consuming small fish, krill, and plankton.

Whale sharks can be found in several locations around the world, particularly in warm tropical and subtropical waters. Some well-known destinations for encountering whale sharks include the Maldives, Philippines, Mexico (such as the Yucatan Peninsula and Isla Holbox), Australia (such as Ningaloo Reef) and Kenya.

Humpback whales have a wide distribution and can be found in various regions during their migratory patterns. Some popular places for humpback whale sightings include Alaska (United States), the Dominican Republic, Iceland, Norway, the Antarctic Peninsula and the East African Coast (Kenya).

Whale shark and humpback whale sightings can vary depending on the time of year, as these species migrate to different regions for feeding or breeding purposes. It’s always recommended to check with local experts, tour operators, or marine wildlife organizations to determine the best times and locations for encounters with these magnificent creatures.

As far as Kenya goes, the peak times are during early February to late March and mid August to December.

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